[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 179 (Monday, November 13, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TEMPORARY INCREASE IN THE STATUTORY DEBT LIMIT

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                               speech of

                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 9, 1995

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2586, referred 
to as ``The Short-term Debt Limit Extension bill.'' The Republican bill 
before us today provides a temporary increase of $67 billion--raising 
the debt limit from $4.9 to $4.967 trillion. However, to force the 
President's hand in budget negotiations, the Republicans' bill lowers 
the debt limit to $4.8 trillion on December 13. The Government has 
never defaulted on its principal and interest payments, so why now.
  The Republicans have decided that they will only increase the debt 
limit if the President agrees to their reconciliation and appropriation 
budget measures that would devastate the well-being of children, 
seniors, and families.
  Mr. Speaker, the President has said that he will veto such measures. 
The President's veto is the only hope that the children of this country 
have against the Republicans taking away their school lunches or their 
immunizations. It is the only hope that seniors have against having 
their health care premiums double, or their heating assistance taken 
away. And, it is the only hope that families have against having to use 
their mortgage payment to pay for nursing home care of their elderly 
parents, or to pay for their childrens' college tuition.
  Mr. Speaker, what H.R. 2586 really is--is the Republicans' primary 
assault weapon in their attack on children, seniors, and families. Can 
the Republicans' tax cut for the wealthy justify the need to hold the 
country--the children, seniors, and families hostage.
  It's time for the Republicans to be up front with the American 
people. Just tell the American people that you will not increase the 
debt limit unless the President agrees to gutting Medicare, destroying 
Medicaid, denying college students financial aid, and reducing 
nutrition programs for children.
  There is no good faith in H.R. 2586. It includes provisions that 
cannot stand the scrutiny of hearings and real legislative debate from 
balancing the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable, to repealing 
habeas corpus, to dismantling the Department of Commerce.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand up for the rights of the 
American people, push for a clean debt limit measure. Vote ``no'' on 
H.R. 2586.

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